Wisconsin School for the Deaf - Tattler Yearbook (Delavan, WI)

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small nnd dirty room , blackened by the moke from the open lire. They owned cattle nnd sheep nnd often quarrelled with each other about thorn. These quarrel became o frequent that when Scotland became a nation the government sent soldier to end them. The Highlanders planted corn which they used for cakes and porridge. The men went hunting nnd fishing while the women and the children did the work on the farm. The Scottish Highlanders had customs much different from ours. W hi never u stranger rame to the village a Scottish family would invite him to stay with them for the night. They gave him n good supper. It was not considered polite to ask his mime. Another custom was the way men were called to war. A fiery cross, made from wood and dipped in goat's blood, was set on fire and carried from one place to another as a signal for the clansmen to aiuembte. When the runner became tired, he gave it to another wko took it other places and so on till they all had been called. In his poem The Lady of the Lake Sir Walter Scott gives us u very good insight into the life and customs of the Highlanders of the sixteenth century. Leading Characters of the Lady of the Lake” By VI NON A LONG Ellen was n beautiful, sweet. Innocent girl who. with her father had taken refuge on u lonely island in I-och Katrine under the protection cf her cousin, Roderick Dhu, the chief of a clnn of Highlanders. In the presence of young men he was modest and shy, hut her innocence and courage proved to be an armor which not even the King himself with whom she had become acquainted could destroy. In going to Stirling Castle, she risked her life for love of her father and her lover, but her quick wit, charming modesty, and kindnera to those of lesser rank saved her from much vexation. Her helplessness appealed to King .lames, so thut. to make her truly happy, he restored her lover to her after he hud been held prisoner for befriending her futher. James Douglas, exiled by the King himself. Roderick Dhu was the haughty and bold chief of the Highland clan. Me Alpine. He hnd made many mids on the Lowlanders nnd had become the terror of the who I? district, from the Highland to the ! order. He demanded unswerving loyalty from all members of his clan and was, in turn, beloved by them. He olTercd his love to his b.-autiful cousin, Ellen, to save herself cnl her father who had been exiled by the King, but on her refusal, he declared with a steadfast-n«M of purpose that could not be misunderstood, that he would always love her. James Fit James, really James V of Scotland, was a good-looking gentleman, being tall nnd having u fine physique, which together with knightly manners, made him present a very impressive appearance. Hi impetuosity led him into many difficult situations, for in trying to help hin people, he often went about in disguise. Although he was dignified in the court he was very gay nnd enjoyed snorts one of which was hunting deer in the Highland forests. He often held games nt Stirling Castle for the people to enjoy, he himself taking an active interest in manly contests. James Douglas was a tall broad-shouldered mnn who. well along in years, had been exiled from the King’' court with the Douglases who hod imprisoned the King in his youth. His cultured manners showed that he had sprung from a fine family. His strong character was shown by his determination to give himself up to the king to prevent a war between Clan Me Alpine nnd James V and to save the life of Malcolm, the young nobleman who had befriended him in the Highland forests. His refusal to take any part against the King proved his loyalty to his sovereign, even though he had been wronged. We must admire one with the courage of his convictions. Allan-hane was a rather short, slender, gray-haired man who had served James Douglas as minstrel for many years. The expression of his face showed a willingness to help everyone that he met. Upon his being inspired, his fingers, wandering over the strings of his harp, caused it to give forth music suitable for each special occasion, hut when Ellen asked him to play a martial air showing the glory of the Graeme family, he couldn’t, because his harp sent out mournful notes instead. This seemed to he propheti r. and he felt sure that trouble was- coming to his beloved family. At times he did have the gift of prophecy, for it was he who foretold the coming of the stranger to the island retreat of Clan Alpine. Hi marvelous ability, to portray in song the story of battle, made him truly a poet. Malcolm Graeme was a rather tall, handsome young man with a fine hut rather slender figure. The sincerity of expression in his face marked him as a dependable person. He was a descendant of one of the noblest families in Scotland. His pride was touched when Roderick Dhu violated Highland hospitality by uccusing him of being n spy for the King ami then challenging him to n combat. So. rather than accept any more forced generosity from Clan Alpine's chief, he plunged into the icy waters of Lock Katrine nnd swam to the mainland, his sturdy body le!ng quite able to withstand the cold waters When he was imprisoned by the King for aiding the exiled James Douglas the father of the girl he loved, he concluded to meet death like u man nnd upon his unexpected release, knelt in homage and loynlty nt the feet of hi sovereign in silent gratitude for his freedom. — 19 — N 1 N E T BEN TIIIKTV-S E V E N

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reaching the border. The people rallied together about him and he won several victories over the English. Although the sacred stone was gone, he assumed the crown. Many of Bruec'j) followers were killed and even his wife and daughter were put into prison. Finally Bruce escaped to the mountains where he lived in hiding. Scotland was still unconquered when Edward died. Edward II was not so eager to keep Scotland as his fnther had been. There was much trouble in England and the Scots made the most of their opportunity to secure independence. The friends of Eobcrt, with Lord Douglas at their head, laid scige to English fortresses and won them back to Scotland. The Lowland wore conquered before Knglnnd stirred. Then the largest and most splendid army that ever entered Scotland was gotten together. There was n battle at Bunnock-bum near Stirling. Bruce wa- a very clever general and hia men dug pita which they hid with brush. When the English horsemen fell into these, disorder followed and the Scotch won the victory. The English fled leaving many of their noblest knights dead on the field. Edward II was obliged to acknowledge Bruce si king of Scotland and his father’s plan for the union of the two kingdoms came to nothing. Scotland was independent. The Scottish Highlanders By BEARl. GOFF The origin of the name Scotland goes hack thousands of years. You have read about Pharaoh and Moses in the Bible. A Greek married Pharaoh’s daughter, Scota. and they founded a kingdom in what is now Portugal. Later one of their decendents became king of Ireland. These people in Ireland were called Scots after Scota. Still later some of then- Scot moved to Scotland giving it its name. About fifty year before the birth of Christ the Romans invaded Britain. In the year 78 A. D. the Romans, under a general called Agri-cola, went far north into Britain overcoming the tribe that lived there until nearly the whole island belonged to Rome. The northern part of what we call Scotland in rough and mountainous. In this country, nt the time of the Roman invasion, there lived a tribe of people called Piets. The Piets were a fierce warlike people. They lived in the forested hills of Northern Scotland and raised cattle. They wore kilts, much as Scottish soldiers wear nowadays and when there was a war, they armed with spears and rode against their cr.emlea in chariot . The road were poor. Tree felled across streams served ns bridges. It wna difficult for an army like the Romans to enter the country. The Romans finally gave up their attempt to subdue the Pi eta. Afraid of a counter attack, they built a great wall across Scotland from the River Tyne to the Sol-wuy Firth to prevent the Piet from coming south into the country occupied by the Romans. The Romans were, in their time, the greatest fighters in the world so the Piets must have been good warriors to cause the Romans to build that great wall to protect themselves. Later hordes of men called barbarians came pouring out of what is now Germany and advanced to the very gates of Rome. The Roman Legions in distant countries were ordered back home to protect the city and so the Romans left Britain. After the Roman.- left Britain. the Saxon , who came of the Baltic Sea, invaded the country. Later the Saxons entered Scotland and settled in the southern purt of the country, south of the great wall which the Homans had built. So you see the Scottish people are the descendant of the Piet of the North, the Scot of Ireland, and the Saxons. The hilly northern part of Scotland is called the Highland . The southern part, much flatter, is called the Lowland . The Highlanders are the descendant of the Piet who lived in the highlands ns far hack as we know. The Highlanders, a freedom loving people, lived in villages among the hills. Though fierce fighter , they were very kind to stranger- who came to their village . During winter night the family would gather together in their hut , sitting around a fire in the middle of the room which was without a chimney. A hole in the roof served u one. They told stories and sang song . The Highlanders were divided into tribes called clans. Each clan had Its own tartan, the pattern of the cloth of which the plaid. and kilt were mndo. Each clan had a chieftain whom the other clansmen mu-t obey and follow in war. The member of a clan stuck togethm when they were in danger or trouble. The Highlanders lived in wooden hut with from the shores — 18 — THE TATTLER

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Thur»d y of each month. This year there were forty-one members. The officer ore Margaret Vanrooy, president; Gladys Bacverfeldt. vice-prosldont; Geneva Broegc. aecretary; ami Ellen Whitlow, treasurer. Purina the year the programs have all been interesting, and quite little business has been transacted. At a joint meeting on the nineteenth of November a pantomime. The First Thanksgiving wnt given by the members of both societies On December 16th a Christmas party was given in the gymnasium and Christmas gifts were exchanged. Both societies united in sponsoring a lecture by Mr. Sidney Sjoberg. Mr. Sjoberg told of his experience in Japan and showed some interesting films of Japanese and Chinese life. The members of the Ariadna Literary Society plan to close the year with a roller skating party at Dclavnn Lake. Z B XL n © Blue Birds The Bluebirds held their first meeting of the year on the thirteenth of October in the upper study of Ariadna Hall. During the present year there have been fourteen members, all from the fourth and fifth grades. The officers for the year are Irene Christiansen, president; Mary Kiege, vice-president; Dorothy Maes, secretary; and two louder . Marion Decker and Betty Jnhn. The Bluebird have had Interesting meetings The member? are required to know the I luel ini law and promises. The committee to help this group consists of Mrs. Rollers. Mis- Kuglitsch. Mi Puestow, Mrs. Ellis and Miss Humphrey. The Ariadna Literary Society The Ariadna Society under the direction of Mis Neeaam and Mrs. Yoder meet the third ft 5 THE TAT T LE R